Mundy doubt, young gun sees Melbourne knee specialist

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FREMANTLE’S early-year injury concerns are escalating with skipper David Mundy set to miss another NAB Challenge game, Hayden Ballantyne touch and go for round one, and young gun Darcy Tucker sent to Melbourne to see a knee specialist.

Former skipper Matthew Pavlich and defender Lee Spurr were also on light duties on Wednesday.

Tucker, the Dockers' first pick in last year's draft, was very impressive in his first NAB Challenge game last week, gathering 21 disposals off half-back. But he had a scan due to some knee soreness and has been sent to Melbourne for further consultation with knee surgeon Julian Feller.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the club was concerned about Tucker after seeing the scan of his knee.

"In the game he was fine," Lyon said.

"Then he came in, we thought it was a cork.

"The scan took us by surprise. There's a bit of a signal there that we need to get checked out. Hopefully it's not too serious, but that would rule him out already for this week, so we're disappointed with that."

Midfield star Mundy is yet to make his captaincy debut after he was a late-scratching for the club’s NAB Challenge opener against Richmond. It is unlikely he will play in Sunday's clash with Adelaide as he tries to recover from soreness in his groins.

Mundy did restricted drills at Fremantle Oval on Wednesday and Lyon said: "He's just a bit sore.

"So he'll just do some straight-line running today and kick the ball around.

"We're hopeful of trying to get him up, but he's no certainty for this week."

Ballantyne (hamstring) and Tucker (knee) were the only injury issues to come out of the Dockers' 60-point win over Richmond.

Lyon said Ballantyne's hamstring injury was minor and the small forward could possibly play prior to round one.

The Dockers' third NAB Challenge clash is on March 12 against Geelong. The Dockers' WAFL affiliate team Peel Thunder open the WAFL season on March 19, a week before the first round of the AFL season.

"Peel play round one when we're having a bye, so there's plenty of opportunity for Hayden."

Harley Bennell has returned to full training this week and looks likely to play in one of the next two NAB Challenge matches. Young defender Alex Pearce has also rejoined the main group after spending most of the summer with groin problems.

Second-year player Ed Langdon is likely to play this week after missing last week with a virus. Chris Mayne looks set to return after missing the Richmond clash following a head knock at training in the lead up.